The moment Victor barked those words, raw fury engulfed my heart, and I subconsciously released my Soulforce.

The man in the black robe instantly turned his face, sensing something odd.

"Is everything alright, Sir?" Victor asked.

The man in black glared around, trying to find the source of the unfamiliar sensation.

"It must be my imagination," he murmured, pausing before ordering, "And forget about that beast woman. If the Snow Princess finds out that her companion is harmed in any way, the whole Abandoned Land will be thrown into chaos."

"As you wish, Sir."

The duo arrived before a gate similar to the one I had entered through. It also had several magic circles embedded on it, but the ones on this gate seemed more complex.

They went inside, passing through the closed gate as I stood behind, clenching my fists.

"Vivi, can I enter through this gate?"

"You may find an opening in the technique used on the gate using Eyes of the Fallen.

Should I activate it?

[Yes] [No]"

"Do it."

"Eyes of the Fallen has activated!

The Host can now see through weaknesses and flaws in any skill, spell, or technique of the opponent.

Note: Prolonged usage may cause dizziness and temporary loss of eyesight."

As soon as the skill activated, I was able to see several black patterns drawn over the original magic circle. All I had to do to unlock the door was draw these patterns. However, there was something missing — I needed the same material used to create the magic circles to modify them.

I disabled the skill and decided to return, since I didn't possess the required material.

"Victor Kale! You've made a huge mistake today," I muttered, turning back.

I spent the rest of my time sleeping, and the next day, when I left the house, I found that there wasn't any onlooker on the watchtower, and the watchman was also nowhere to be seen.

In his place stood another man with a long beard, deep dark circles, and a face structured like that of a bull, assigning work to all the slaves. There were about fifty goons, dressed in the similar black pant and open jacket, standing beside him.

This new watchman didn't bat an eye at any male slave and gave them the usual task of mining 800 kilograms.

However, his gaze turned lecherous the moment a female slave approached. He lifted their clothes, touched them inappropriately, and assigned their work according to their reactions. If someone showed even a hint of discontent, he would assign them the same amount of work as the men. So, most of the women suppressed their expressions, while some even forced a positive reaction to his sexual harassment to lessen their workload.

"Don't create trouble, Raj," I muttered inwardly, clenching my teeth.

Due to my recklessness, Vyaghra was already under suspicion, so if I let my anger get the better of me again, the situation might take a turn for the worse.

I turned my face away and went inside Mine Number 5 with the same task as the previous day.

---

"Hey... huff... Lucifer," Daniel greeted, striking the crystals with his pickaxe. "Or should I call you Sir Morning Star? That's what everyone's calling you since you beat Diego's group yesterday."

"Hey, Daniel. You may address me however you like," I chuckled, placed my hammer on the ground, and spoke further while mining the crystals beside him. "Daniel, I was curious about something. Where have the watchman and all the other onlookers gone?"

"They left to prepare for the Rite of the Red Harvest."

"Huh! Rite of what?"

"Ah, it totally slipped my mind that you only came yesterday.

On the Full Blood Moon night of the third month every year, the leader of Forlorn City Mines sacrifices the head of an Awakener to wish for growth and prosperity. The slaves from all the mines are gathered on that day to offer their prayers.

This festival is called the Rite of the Red Harvest."

"Pray for what!?" I scoffed. "​They've already seized everything the slaves hold dear."

"It's an irony indeed," Daniel replied with a sad smile. "However, this festival is the only day in the year when we are exempted from mining, so all the slaves, including me, look forward to it."

"How many days are left for the festival? And will the watchman and other onlookers not return until then?"

"The festival is exactly one month away from today, and as for the watchman, he only leaves for one day every year, so he'll surely return tomorrow."

The mine echoed with the sound of metal striking crystals as I fell silent for a moment.

Trying to act as casual as possible, I asked nonchalantly, "There are over nine hundred slaves in the Grade 3 mines and just two hundred guards watching over them. Why don't the slaves unite against this oppression? Surely a mere two hundred guards can't kill every single united slave, even if some are Awakeners."

Thud...

Daniel's pickaxe fell from his trembling hand as he stared at me in pure incredulity. "A-are you insane? What if someone hears you?" he whispered with shivering lips, pulling me closer. "Did you forget about the slave mark they engraved on your body? We'd be burnt to ashes as soon as we touch the exit door. Moreover, isn't it better to live a few more years than die for a worthless try? We also get food as long as we keep working and don't disobey them."

Daniel's words made me realize something. It wasn't that they couldn't leave—the fear and trauma were engraved so deep in their hearts that they didn't even want to try.

"If I want to take control over the mines, I have to first find a way to eliminate this terror from their hearts," I thought inwardly before replying with an awkward smile, "Oh, you're right. I totally forgot about the slave mark."

After our little conversation, I turned my focus to mining crystals, but then a desperately crying female voice called out from behind,

"Sir Morning... Star, please... sniff... sniff... help Silvia."

Aris burst from the tunnel—tattered, bruised, and sprinting toward me with wobbly steps.

I immediately removed my shirt and placed it over her shoulders before asking, "What happened?"

Her trembling hands desperately held my arms as she blurted, "Th-they are... going to defile Silvia... pl-please save her."

A golden lightning bolt flickered in my eyes as I ordered in a low, commanding tone, "Daniel, look after her."

"W-wait... one of them... was... following me—"

Before Aris could finish her statement, the cave erupted in intense golden lightning, and I was already gone.

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